In my senior year of high school when I told my friends and family I was going to major in public relations, they were confused. Me, the girl who could barely make it through speeches and presentations in class, was going into a major with the word “public” in it.
Yes, public relations is typically a field which attracts extroverts; and for good reason to. Relationship building, networking and pitches are all major facets of public relations that extroverts may thrive in. But, public relations is such a vast and diverse field--being in public relations can be much more.
Having introverted qualities can bring many advantages in the world of public relations.
Listening: If introverts are less likely to talk, they must be spending most of their time listening. Listening is very important in PR, as you have to listen to clients, coworkers and industry leaders in order to succeed. The introvert on your team might be the one who remembers the little details mentioned by a client.
Ever-prepared: When an introvert does need to pitch or present, there is no way they would do it unprepared. Not to say our extrovert friends don’t prepare, but since an introvert may be a little uncomfortable, no stone will be unturned for a pitch.
Hybrid - or at home work: Covid changed a lot about the way the PR world works. Lots of agencies and companies now work at home or hybrid. Though not the case for all introverts, some may find work from home perfect for them. They are able to thrive in an environment just for them, while still staying connected to work through messaging. If public relations continues to be more and more of an at home job, introverts may be the ones who stay motivated while being at home.
Introverts- don’t shy away from the field of public relations. My PR courses have helped me gain confidence in social settings and enable myself to feel more comfortable stepping out of my comfort zone. In a field like PR, being an introvert is not a disadvantage. Diverse mindsets are important when approaching public relations, and you may just be the different mind that makes or breaks a campaign.